After being kicked out of the Goth Grand Hotel, Ji Ming followed the secret passage the Fatui had arranged.
The tunnel led all the way to the lakeshore outside Mondstadt's walls, where several concealed Fatui camps sat among the reeds.
From there, he circled back into the city on foot — roundabout, cautious, unseen.
He almost laughed.
He really did feel like some undercover agent now.
Mondstadt was quiet in a frightening way.
The dragon's appearance had emptied the wilds.
Outside the walls, only knights on patrol and supply caravans moved.
Inside, there were still pedestrians and vendors — but the atmosphere felt thin, subdued, like a city holding its breath.
A patrol spotted him quickly. A traveler, unknown, foreign.
"May the Wind Archon protect you, traveler," the captain greeted, polite but weary.
"Are you seeking shelter in Mondstadt because of the dragon attacks?"
"No," Ji Ming answered honestly. "I came here to sightsee."
The entire patrol stared.
The captain coughed twice, trying to remain composed.
"…As knights, we must advise caution. The dragon may appear at any time. Your safety—"
"It's fine," Ji Ming interrupted, lifting his chin.
"If Mondstadt is in danger, I'll stay and face that danger with Mondstadt."
Every knight froze — then their eyes instantly reddened.
One armored knight stepped forward, voice trembling:
"Sir… you're from Liyue, aren't you? And yet you would share our burden so willingly…! If I wasn't on duty, I would take you to Angel's Share this very moment and drink with you until dawn!"
Ji Ming lifted a hand solemnly, as though making an oath.
"Truth is, I have long been a Mondstadter in spirit.
Morax is fine and all, but Barbatos? Barbatos should rule the world."
The armored knight slammed his fist over his chest.
"Barbatos rules the world!"
He was immediately smacked in the helmet by his captain.
"Enough! Sir traveler — we thank you for your passion, but please avoid speaking disrespectfully of your own nation's god. Especially in public."
A few more warnings and reminders to stay safe, and the patrol headed for the city gate.
Ji Ming exhaled.
That was… surprisingly effective.
And then, a thought occurred:
If Mondstadters loved drinking their fears away…
Then the tavern was where information flowed most freely.
So, he asked a fruit vendor:
"Where's the best tavern in Mondstadt?"
"Angel's Share! If you don't drink there at least once, you'll regret it forever!"
Decision made.
Angel's Share Tavern
Warm wood, dim lantern light, and the scent of wine-soaked years.
A young bartender stood behind the counter, polishing a glass.
A few drunks slumped over their drinks.
A bard in the corner strummed a half-hearted tune — poorly.
But Ji Ming's attention locked onto someone else entirely:
A woman sitting alone.
Beautiful features.
Cold expression.
And hair — a cool, deep blue shade that immediately twisted something in his chest.
Not the same color as Ganyu's.
Softer there. Lighter.
But the resemblance was enough to hurt.
"Friend," a drunk murmured beside him, noticing his stare.
"Don't get ideas. That's Eula. Descendant of the Lawrence clan."
Ji Ming blinked.
The bartender finally spoke:
"I'm Charles. Haven't seen you before — traveler from Liyue?"
"Yeah. And yes — I know. I arrived during the worst time."
Charles sighed heavily.
"Business has died since the dragon attacks. People are frightened. They drink more, but… with less joy."
"I saw the dragon myself," Ji Ming replied casually. "Huge. Like a mountain."
Charles froze mid-polish.
"You… survived facing it? Without a Vision?"
"Jumped into a lake and pretended to be dead. Held my breath for twenty minutes."
Charles stared.
"…Sir, are you even human?"
Ji Ming only lifted his drink.
"So why come now, of all times?" the bartender asked.
"Because," Ji Ming declared proudly, "I am a Mondstadter in spirit."
The entire tavern went silent.
Even the bard stopped playing.
Ji Ming clinked his glass lightly.
"Mondstadt has a strange, poetic sort of half-ruined charm. A reckless freedom. I like it."
Somewhere between a compliment and a diagnosis.
The drunks nodded in understanding.
Charles rubbed his face.
"…My boss might want to speak to you."
"Is your boss a beautiful woman?" Ji Ming asked.
"No. A very handsome man."
Ji Ming stood up immediately.
"Then I'll pass."
Glass in hand, he walked toward Eula's table.
He smiled warmly — sincere, relaxed, without trying too hard.
"Good afternoon. Care to share a drink with me?"
Eula slowly turned her head.
Her voice was soft, cool, and edged like ice.
"Shameless flirtation.
I'll remember this.
Vengeance will be mine."